During Monday’s meeting, the Carroll City Council approved over $200,000 in grants for façade and building improvements for businesses in the downtown district. City Manager Aaron Kooiker says two types of grants were being considered, the first half-dozen related to the $150,000 allocated to the downtown district by the council earlier this year.
Three applicants are receiving the maximum $25,000 grant, the Buckle, Promesing Image Salon & Spa, and the 519/521 N. Main St storefront for tuckpointing, signage, and other exterior improvements. Brothers on Main was awarded nearly the maximum at $24,351.50, while Renew Covenant Church, Family Resource Center, and Carroll Area Childcare Center and Preschool will receive a combined $13,426.50 to remove HVAC ducts and repair broken windows at the site. The final award of $3,100 went to Relic Sports LLC on W. 4th Street for exterior canopy and signage updates. The council unanimously approved the $115,878 in façade grants. Combined with the awardees’ portions of their projects, this will lead to a $294,473 total investment into the downtown district. Funds will be distributed as reimbursements once the improvements are completed. Ward 3 Councilman Kyle Bauer says this first round of funding shows other businesses may be interested in participating in the program in the future.
The other grant on Monday’s agenda was an Emergency Community Catalyst Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for the former JCPenney building, now home to Fusion Dance. Kooiker says that the state has already approved the building for the $100,000 grant, and the city needs to approve the local matching funds, which they had previously allocated in fiscal year (FY) 2023. Eric Boes, one of the building’s new owners, says they have a lot planned for the building’s western face along Adams Street.
The council voted unanimously to approve the matching funds for the Catalyst grant. Bauer says this is a reminder there is money out there for businesses, but they need to be willing to go get it.
More details on each of the approved grants are included below
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